Syed Aman, a U.S. citizen from Nassau County, New York, was arrested yesterday at John F. Kennedy International Airport while attempting to board a flight to Qatar. He is accused of attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).
According to a criminal complaint filed in federal court in Brooklyn, Aman planned to travel from Qatar to Turkey and ultimately cross into Syria to join ISIS.
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Evidence presented in the complaint includes:
- Online activity: Aman expressed support for ISIS in online forums and social media posts, including stating his desire to kill Americans.
- Financial support: Aman sent money to an individual he believed to be an ISIS operative.
- Travel plans: Aman made multiple attempts to book flights to the Middle East, ultimately securing a flight to Bangladesh via Doha. He planned to disembark in Qatar and purchase a separate ticket to Turkey.
- Communications with an informant: Aman confided his plans to a confidential human source working with the FBI, expressing his desire to engage in jihad on behalf of ISIS. He also discussed plans to defend himself with a steel pen if apprehended.
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Aman was arrested by the FBI after checking in for his flight and passing through airport security. He is scheduled to make his initial court appearance this afternoon.
The case is being investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, with assistance from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
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